Mesmerized by Millions of Petals - Nelu Blossom in Horton Plains

Sun was battling to pierce the mist with its rays of light and the chilled air with its warmth. It managed to lit up the area but wasn’t very successful with its second task. The atmosphere was no were near warm. We were at the ticket counter of the Horton Plains shivering in the cold till the tickets were issued, hoping to enjoy one of nature’s rare magical phenomenons – Nelu [Strobilanthes] Blossom.

Dawn near Ambewela

Windmills of Ambewela

View towards the Piduruthalagala mountain range over Ambewela plains

View on the way to Horton Plains

The Nelu are known as monocarpic plants. A plant is known as monocarpic when it blooms, produces seeds and then dies. These Nelu seeds fall to the ground and get covered by the soil. After another 12 to 13 years they grow and bloom again. Out of the 30 species recognized in Sri Lanka, 26 are endemic, and thatthe Nelu has a variety of colours such as white, yellow, pink and green. It is possible that different species of Nelu are found at different elevations and added that in the dry zone a different plant species is found.

According to the Flora of Ceylon, a few flowers may be found here and there every year, but it is not until the plants reach a certain age, usually from 10 to 13 years, that the whole patch or area bursts into simultaneous blossoming.

This time in 2013, it’s after 12 years it blossomed in Horton Plains. In large areas of the plains, particularly the mount Kirigalpotta (2^nd highest mountain of Sri Lanka) and the mount Thotupola (3^rd Highest mountain of Sri Lanka), blossoming f Nelu flowers are reported. 

We had a glimpse of what we were going to see close to the park’s ticket counter while waiting for the tickets. Then we drove a little further until we reached the trail head of Thotupola Kanda. We were amazed by the sight as soon as we got off the vehicle.

Near the ticket counter

near the trail head

There four or five varieties of Nelu bloomed in Horton plains this time and we saw four of them.

Strobilanthes Sexennis

Restricted to the forests and secondary scrub lands of  Sri Lankan central highlands. There are seven varieties(sub species) occurs in Sri Lanka and all seven are endemic to the island. Strobilanthes sexennis also occurs in Nilgiri hills in South India but with only one variety. Flowering occurs from August to April in every 12 years before dying.

Strobilanthes pulcherrima

Locally common endemic shrub of open hill forest undergrowth, scrub lands and roadsides from 1000 to 2000m altitude. Flowers in 12 years cycles. The plant die after the seeds ripen.

Strobilanthes calycina

This is an endemic shrub grows in highlands elevation above the sea level is greater than 1800 meters. It can be seen in Horton National Park and Nuwaraeliya area. 

 Strobilanthes viscosa

An endemic species of Strobilanthes that grows in highlands of Sri Lanka.Not like other species of Strabilanthes, S. viscosa is said to be flowering annually. Strobilanthes viscosa comes in two varieties. Var. viscosa that grows in high altitude mountain zones and variant digitalis grows in lower elevations. 

 

Hike to Thotupola kanda is an easy hike with very little elevation gain. The first path of the trail goes through a mountainous forest. Most of the undergrowth consisted of thick Nelu bushes full of flowers. The morning dew and the mist made the scene heavenly. The path was less visited by others so we had all the time in the world to enjoy the wonder of nature walking through the flowery arches along the flowery path.

The path

Way back in 1881 a mass flowering of Nelu was recorded by Thomas Farr, the Founder of Farr Inn Lodge at Horton Plains. According to his records, the flowering of Nelu had occurred in 1893 and 1905.

According to the Flora of Ceylon Vol. 12’, Strobilanthes is a large genus of about 300 species entirely restricted to the hill districts of tropical Asia. Strobilanthes is one of the largest genre of flora in Sri Lanka and one of the most interesting

Halfway through the trail we came out of the jungle and the rest of the trail was an open area until we reached top of the mountain. The whole mountain slope was made of the Nelu bushes of different colours.  It was like a carpet of flowers all around. 

The peak is seen

The veil of flowers over the mountain slopes

an orchid variety

the necklace

Grand father's beard

 

We reached the peak of mount Thotupola, the 3^rd highest peak of Sri Lanka. The peak and slopes were no different. Millions of petals of different colours with dew drop sparkling at their tips, hundreds of busy honey bees flying all around, the view of the beautiful plains surrounding the mountain and the endless view of clear blue sky all the way up to the Adam’s Peak in distance was simply mind blowing. 

Watch this video as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi5YRbFDn9w 

View towards the Adam's Peak

Adam's peak zoomed

Horton Plains

After spending some hours of utmost joy we started descending thanking the mother nature who decided to give the rainy weather a break and for allowing us to fully enjoy this rare opportunity.

Thank you for reading.

Sources :

http://lankanaturesummary.blogspot.com
http://biodiversityofsrilanka.blogspot.com